Stuart Brown, host of the Broadway music radio program "On Broadway," reviews NYC and CT stage offerings as well as ruminating about other theatrical matters.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Review of "Singin in the Rain"

Tucked away in a small tent off the New Canaan High School
parking lot is one of the most entertaining musicals of the summer season.
There, the Summer Theatre of New Canaan is presenting a highly gratifying and
dazzling production of Singin’ in the
Rain. Based on the 1952 film classic of the same name, the stage
version is just as lively and humorous as its celluloid counterpart. Coupled
with an ageless score, this ode to the beginnings of movie talkies is a feast
for eyes and ears alike.

The ensemble from Singin' in the Rain.

The plot, frothy and vapid, is a variation of the ageless
storyline of boy meets girl, boy loses girl, and, finally, boy wins
girl. It focuses on silent movie idols Don Lockwood (Matthew Tiberi)
and Lina Lamont (Jodi Stevens). In public, they are the blissful couple, but in
private they mesh like oil and vinegar. Their careers face upheaval with the
advent of sound that, overnight, begins sweeping through the motion picture
industry.The problem-- Lina Lamont’s
speaking and singing voice are dreadful.However, Don’s best friend and studio gopher, Cosmo Brown (David
Rossetti), comes up with the novel idea of having the fresh-faced young actress
Kathy Selden (Annabelle Fox) dub Lamont’s voice.She, of course, is the woman Lockwood has
previously met and really loves.Through mishaps and missteps, the plan works
as love prevails over adversity and the mean machinations of Lina Lamont.

The book of the show, adapted by Betty Comden and Adolph
Green from their original screenplay, is light, breezy, and silly, but works
wonderfully as a perfect summer tonic for musical theater fans.

The score by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed is chock
full of memorable songs, including “Make ‘Em Laugh,” “Moses Supposes,” “Good
Morning,” and, of course, the title tune “Singin’ in the Rain.”They are all gorgeously sung by the cast and
delivered with vitality and good old-fashioned razz-ma-tazz.

The cast is outstanding.Matthew Tiberi is admirable as filmdom’s heartthrob, Don Lockwood.He is charismatic, with a pleasing voice, and
smoothly anchors the quartet of fine performers in the production. David Rossetti as Cosmo Brown is the perfect
sidekick.The actor is a bundle of
nervous energy who can dance up a storm, sing with a humorous twinkle, and
deliver a bad pun without breaking a sweat.He never fails to inject a dose of comedic flair into the production. Annabelle Fox’s Kathy Selden is a triple
threat.She has a gorgeous voice, is a
spirited hoofer and a convincing actress.Her ever-present smile and cheerful persona light up the stage.Jodi Stevens, who has performed brilliantly
throughout Connecticut in the past year (as Sue Mengers in I’ll Eat You Last and Mazeppa in Gypsy, both at the Musical Theater of Connecticut), delivers another
stellar portrayal as the self-absorbed, barely talented movie queen with the
screechy voice, Lina Lamont.

Annabelle Fox (Kathy Selden) and members of the ensemble from Singin' in the Rain.

Doug Shankman demonstrates why he was
honored last year with the Best Choreographer award from the Connecticut
Critics Circle.The productions numbers,
heavy on tap, are lavishly staged and performed with polish and sparkle by the leads
and ensemble members.

Director Melody Meitrott Libonati keeps the pacing fast,
but with a light-handed touch.The
essence of Singin’ in the Rain is
effervescent entertainment with a generous dollop of humor.Ms. Libonati ensures these qualities are
omnipresent throughout the production.This is not to say her helming of the musical is capricious or
casual.On the contrary, she guides the
show with professionalism and steadiness.

Matt Tiberi (Don Lockwood) Singin' in the Rain.

The Scenic Design by Charles Pavarini III captures the era
with a combination of well-designed, brightly colored sets as well as utilizing
minimal staging and props. His silent screen projections are quite funny
parodies of silent movie artifice and add a playful element to the
production.And he puts on a convincing
rain shower for the show’s signature dance number.

Robert Fletcher’s costumes creations are sumptuous and varied.Devon Allen’s lighting design beautifully adds
a layered ambiance to many scenes.

Singin’ in the
Rain, a buoyant and highly entertaining production through July 30th.Ticket information is atBoxoffice@stonc.org or (203) 966
– 4634.